Finn Balor on SummerSlam and Wanting a Title Match Against Lesnar

Inside the Ropes held an interview with Finn Balor at WWE’s Summer Slam International Press Junket discussing several SummerSlam topics and wanting a match against Brock Lesnar in the near future.

On the topic of his road to recovery after last year’s SummerSlam, Balor stated he feels a lot better now than he did going into last year’s event. Also felt a lack of focus during his match against Rollins for the Universal Championship was the main reason he suffered a shoulder injury.

“Last year I felt like I was in the best shape of my career and lo and behold I got chucked in to a barrier breaking my shoulder & went through that whole process. But looking back I realized that I wasn’t as prepared or focused as I am now and I feel like i’ve gone through so much as a person, having gone through all that crap I went through with the injury, handing the title back, the multiple surgeries and rehabbing, coming back adapting to life in the ring and on the road and honestly feel better than ever.”

On the topic of this year’s SummerSlam, Balor stated he feels a lot more confident and prepared after learning his lessons from last year.

“Now I have more of a feeling of self belief and self confidence. I know that with the stuff that got thrown at me last year and dealing with it, I can deal with what life throws at me and it’s a good feeling.”

When asked his feelings about winning the Universal Championship at SummerSlam 2016, Balor felt the whole experience was a big life changing moment for him.

“I don’t look at it as the moment I won the title, I look at that moment as that changed me from a boy into a man. I grew a lot and learned about myself as a human and as a man in those moments where I had to dig down and pop my shoulder back in and do the match. It’s almost like a self belief to know that you can throw anything at me and I’ll deal with it.”

Later in the interview, Balor was asked a question about current Universal champion Brock Lesnar. Balor stated he wants a match against Lesnar since he feels he is still owed a championship match after having to relinquish the title due to an injury. He hyped this potential match as being “dream” worthy and something very interesting the WWE has yet to do for Lesnar and the championship.

I have to do it, I have to beat Brock Lesnar, I have to challenge Brock, he has the title that I never lost, and if I’m any sort of a man, I need to be a man and stand up to this guy. I ain’t afraid of him. I’m not gonna enjoy getting taken to Suplex City but I will enjoy that I am stood across the ring from Brock Lesnar saying, I ain’t afraid of you man, I’m gonna take you on….The match between Finn Balor and Brock Lesnar is probably the most interesting match the WWE hasn’t seen yet…..I don’t know how he feels about me but I ain’t afraid of Brock Lesnar and i’m not gonna enjoy it [the match], but I ain’t scared of you!”